Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus



RAILWAY TRAFFl'CH CONTHOLLCNG APPARATUS Filed April 4, 19:50

Patented Mar. 3, 1931l UNITED' 4STATE-s PATENT OFFICE PAUL N. BOSSART, OP SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA RAILWAY-TRAFFIC-CONTROLLING APPARATUS Application filed April 4, 1930. Serial No. 441,517.

l\f`[y invention relates to railway traflic controlling apparatus, and particularly to apparatus ot the type comprising train-carried governing means cooperating with devices located at intervals along the trackway.

I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims. In the accompanying drawing, Fig.' 1 is a diagrammatic View illustrating one form of railway trafic controlling apparatus embodying my` invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing an alternate arrangement of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts inboth views.

Referring to the drawing, the reference characters 1 and 1a designate the track rails traic normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. These track rails are divided, b v means of insulated joints 2, into a plurality ot' successive track sect-ions A-B, l-C, C-D, etc. Each track section is provided with a track circuit comprising a suitable source of current, here shown as a battery 3, connected across the rails adjacent the exit end of thesection, and a track relay, designated by the reference character T with an exponent corresponding to the location, and connected across the rails adjacent the entrance end of the section.

Each track section is also provided with a polarized line relay designated by the reference character E with an exponent correlspouding to the location. Each line relay E is controlled by the track relay T for the associated section. and by the track relay T and line relay E for the section next in ad.-

vance of the associated section. Referring particularly to'line relay EB, for example, when track relays TB and TC are both energized` and when line relay EC i-sdeenergized,

line relay EB is energized in the reverse direction so that polar contact- 9 is swung to the right, current flowing from a suitable source,

such as a battery QC, through line wire 17,

winding of line relay EB, wire 18, front con- 5 tact 6 of track relay TB, line wire 19, front of a. stretch of railway track over whichv contact 5 of track relay TC, Wire 20, backl contact 7 of line relay EC, and wire 21 back to battery QC. When track relays TB and TC and line relay EC are all energized,fhowever, line relay EB is then energized in the normal direction -to swing contact 9 to the left, current then flowing from a battery PC through wire 29, front contact 7 of line relay EC, wire 20, front contact 5 of track relay TC, line wire 19, front contact 6 of track relay TB, wire 18, winding of line relay EB, and line wire 17 back to battery PC.

Located adjacent the entrance end of each section isa trackway signaling device designated by the reference character N with an exponent corresponding to the location. Each signaling device N, as here shown, comprises three transmitters L1, L2 and L3, each adapted, when energized, to transmit a beam of radiant energy toward a corresponding train-carried relay device as the train passes the associated signaling device N, for controlling train-carried governing means as will beexplained more fully hereinafter. Each of these transmitters may have any suitable form. For example, in the form illustrated in the drawing, each transmitter L comprises an electric lamp which may be provided with a suitable optical system, and which is arrangedl to transmit a beam of light rays towards the train as the train passes the associated signaling device.

Each signaling device N is controlled by the associated track relay T and line relay E.' Referring particularly to signaling device NB, for example, when track relay TB is energized and line relay EB is (leenergized, the electric lamp of transmitter Lglof this signaling device is energized by current which flows from a suitable source of current, such as a battery UB, through wires 10, 11 and 12, the electric lamp of transmitter LB, wires` 13 and 14, back contact 8 of line relay EB, wires 32 and 15, front contact 4 of track relay TB, and wire 16 back to battery UB. The electric lamp of transmitter L2 of signaling device NB is also energized when track relay TB is energized and line relay EB is energized in the normal direction by virtue of a branch for the circuit just traced, this branch pass- IMI ing from wire 13 through Wire 30, normal contact 9 of line relay EB, and wire 3l to wire t 15. When track relay TB is energized and line relay ED is energized in either direction, the electric lamp of transmitter L1 of signaling device NB;. i s then energized, thecircuit for thislamp being frombattery UB, through wire 10, electric lamp of transmitter L1,wire 22, front contact 8 of line relay ED, Wires 32 and l5, front contact 4 of tra-ck relay TB, and wire 16 back to battery UB; The electric lamp of transmitter L'1 of signaling levice NB is constantly connected with batter UB, so that this lamp is constantly lighter Each of the remaining devices N is controlled by the associated relays vin the same manner as just described for the control of device NB by relays TB and ED.

As shown in the drawings, sections A'-l, B-C, and C-D are all unoccupied, but the section to the right of point D is occupied by train V1 which is here represented dia/ grammatically by an axle and a pair of wheels. Track relay TD is therefore deenergi'zed. Since track relay TD is deenergized, the circuit for line relay ED is open at front contact 6 of track relay TD, and line relay ED is also deenergized. Furthermore,the circuit for the lamp `of transmitter L1 of signaling device ND, and the circuit for the lamp of transmitter L2 of signaling device ND, are both open at front contact 4 of track relay TD, and these lamps are therefore extinguished. The lamp of the transmitter L3 of each of the signalingdevices N is lighted, since each of these lamps is constantly connected with the associated battery U.

Since section C-D'is unoccupied, track relay TD is energized. Line relay ED, however, is deenergized,lthe circuit for this relay beingopen at front contact 5 of track relay T1'. As a result, the circuit for the lamp of transmitter L1 of signaling device NC is open at front contact 8 of line relay ED, but the cirsuit for the lamp of transmitter L2 of signaling device NC is closed at back Contact 8 of line. relay ED` and at front contact 4 of track relay TC. It will be apparent, therefore, that the lamp of transmitter L1 of signaling device NC is extinguished, but thc lamps of transmitters L2 and L" of this signaling device are both lighted.

Track relay TB is energized and lin(` rclay ED is energized in the reverse direction. The circuit Afor the lamp of transmitter' L1 of signal device NB is therefore closed at front contact 4 of track relay TB and at front contact 8 of line relay ED, so thatthis lamp is lighted. The lamp of transmitter L3 of signaling device NB is also lighted. The circuit for the lamp of transmitter L2 of signaling device NB is open at back contact 8 of line relay EB and the branch for this circuit is also open at normal contact 9 of line relay EB so that this lamp is extinguished.

Track relayA TA is energized, and line relay EA is energized in the normal direction. The lamps of the transmitters L1, L2 and L3 of signaling device NA are therefore all lighted.

Located in the section to the left of point A is a train W2 which is here represented diagrammatically by an axle and a pair ot wheels. Mounted on this train at some convenient location, or locations, as the case may be, are three relay devices P1, P2 and P3. These relay devices are adapted to be selectively operated by the beams of radiant energy transmitted by the transmitters L1, L2 and L3, respectively, of the trackway signaling devices N described hereinbefore as the train passes these signaling devices, and are so arranged on the train that each of the relay devices P1, P2 and P3 will be in the path of the beam transmitted by the corresponding transmitter L of each signaling device N when the train passes the signaling device. For example, if the transmitters L of the signaling devices N are arranged in triangular relation as shown in Fig. 1,the train-carried relay devices Pmay be similarly arranged on the train so that as the train passes a signaling device N, the beam from each transmitter will strike the corresponding relay device. Or, if the transmitters L of each signaling device N are arranged in a row as shown in Fig. 2, the traincarried relay devices P may be likewise arranged in arow so that each relay device is in the path of the beam from the proper transmitter as the train passes a signaling device. The relay devices P1, P2 and P3 may have any suitable form, but as here shown, each relay device P comprises a photo-glow tube having two spaced electrodes 24 and 25 enclosed in a sealed envelope filled with a suitable medium such as neon gas, the electrode 25 being constructed of, or coated with, a substance which emits electrons when radiant energy of the proper wave length or wave lengths, such for example as light rays, impinges thereon. If an electromotive force having a magnitude suihciently great is applied across the electrodes 24 and 25 of a tube of the type described, and the tube is I placed in the path of a beam ot radiant energy of the proper wave length and of sufficient intensity, the medium between the electrodes becomes conducting, and a current flows vfrom electrode 24 to electrode 25. Furthermore, if the electromotive Jforce applied across the electrodes 24 and 25 of a tube of the type described is unidirectional, and if the tube is once rendered conducting, the tube will remain conducting until the magnitude of the applied electromotive force is decreased to a value which is below the value of the constant potential drop across the medium between the electrodes when the tube is conducting.

A condenser designated by the reference character G with a suitable distinguishing eX- ponent., is connected across the electrodes 24 and 25 of each photo-glow tube P in series with a relay, designated by the reference character F with a distinguishing exponent. One terminal of each condenser G is connected with one terminal of a suitable source of current, here shown as a battery J, and the other terminals of these condensers are connected with the other terminal ofthe source through individual resistances each designated by the reference character H with a distinguishing exponent.. A resistance designated by the reference character R with a distinguishing exponent is also connected across the electrodes 24 and 25 of each tube P over a front contact 26 of the associated relay F.

Referring now particularly to photo-glow tube P1, with the parts arranged in the manner just described, when this tube is nonconducting, as when no beam of radiant energy is striking the tube, condenser G1 charges through resistance H1 until the potential between its plates is equal to the electromotive force of battery J, and an electromotive force equal to the electromotive force of battery J is then applied across electrodes 24; and 25 of tube P1. The magnitude of this electromotive force is adjusted vto have a value which is below the breakdown value for the tube, when no radiant energy is striking the tube, and tube P1 therefore normally remains non-conducting, so that no current normally flows in the winding of relay F1. Relay F1 is therefore normally deenergized. When tube P1' becomes conducting, however, as when a beam of radiant energy of the proper wave length and intensity, such for example as the beam transmitted by one of the transmitters L1, strikes tube P1, condenser G1 gradually discharges through the winding of relay F1, and at the same time current from battery J starts to flow through this winding and .through resistance H1. Relay F1 therefore becomes energized and closes its front contacts. lVhen front contact 26 of relay F1 becomes closed, resistance R1 is then connected across the electrodes 24 and 25 of tubeP1. Due to the characteristic of tubes of this type pointed out hercinbetorc,

when tube P1 has once been rendered conducting, the tube will remain conducting, and relay F1 will therefore remain energized, until the magnitudeof the electromotive force impressedacross its electrodes decreases below the value for the constant potential drop across-the medium between these electrodes when the tube is conducting. The

magnitude of the 'electromotive force imrelay F1, resistance H1, and resistance R1, and upon the capacity of condenser G1. It follows that by properly proportioning these parts, tube P1 may be made to become nonconducting at the expiration of any desired time interval after the tube has passed out of the beam from the associated transmitter. The parts will usually be so ad]l usted that this interval will be two or three seconds, but the length of this interval may be varied as conditions require. In order to obtain the proper time intervals with relays of the usual type it may be desired under some conditions to insert additional resistance in series with the relay, F1. When tube P1 again becomes nonconducting, relay F1 becomes deenergized and opens its front contacts. Condenser G1 then again becomes charged to a potential which is equal to the electromotive force of battery J, and the parts are restored to their normal conditions.

IThe operation of the tubes P1Z and P3 is similar to that described for tube P1 and will be readily understood from the foregoing description of the operation of tube P1.'v y

The function of the resistances R is to bypass current from the associated tube P when this tube P becomes conducting, thereby decreasing the time interval during which the tube will remain conducting.`

These resistances also insure that the po- 'tential drop across the electrodes of the associated tube will be reduced to the value at which the tube becomes non-conducting while a considerable current from the associated discharging condenser G still flows through the associated relay F, and so prevents the tube discharge being maintained by current from battery J. The release values ol' the relay F will preferably be -such that when these relays have once been energized, they will remain energized until after the associated tube becomes non-conducting, so that the resistances R will remain connected across the associated tube until after the tube becomes non-conducting.

The relays F1, F2 and F3 controlled by the tubes P1, P2 and PT may be employed to control train-talrried governing means of any suitable type. As here shown, these Vrelays control four separate electric lamps S1. C2, S and S1'. then the relay F is energized and relays F1 and F2 are dcencrgized, a circuit is completed for lamp S1 including a. suitable source of current such as a battery M, back Contact 27 of relay F1, back contact of relay F2, and front contact 27 of relay F". then this circuit is closed, lamp S1 becomes energized to indicate stop. lVhen relays F and F2 are energized, and relay F1 is deenergized, a circuit is completed for lamp S3 including battery M, back contact Q7 of relay F1, front cont-act 28 of relay F1. and front contact 27 of relay F3. lVhen this circuit is closed lamp S3 becomes lighted to indicate caution. When relays F3 and F1 are energized, and relay F2 is deenergized, lamp S2 becomes energized to indicate approach vrestricting by virtue 'of a circuit including battery M, front contact 27 of relay F1, back contact 27 of relay F2, and front contact 27 of relay F3. When relays F1, F2 and F3 are all energized, lamp S1 is supplied with current from battery M over front contact 27 of relay F1, front contact 27 of relay F2, and front contact 27 of relay F3. Under these latter conditions, lamp S1 becomes lighted to indicate proceed.

In explaining the operation of the apparatus as a whole, I will assume that withthe trackway appartus in the condition previously described, and with the train-carriedV apparatus in its normal condition, the train W'2 traverses the stretch of track indicated in the drawing. Under these conditions, when the train passes signaling device NA, since the electric lamps of transmitters L1, L2 and L3 of this signaling device are all lighted, the relay devices P1, P2 and P3 all become conducting so that the relays F1, F 2 and F3 all become energized. Lamp S1 therefore becomes lighted to give a proceed indication on the train. This indication continues until the time interval for which the tubes P1, P2 and P3 are adjusted to remain conducting has expired, at which time the tubes again become non-conducting so that the relays F1, F2 and F3 become deenergized and deenergize lamp S1. The train-carried apparatus is then restored to its normal condition.

When the train passes signaling device NB, tubes P1 and P3 become conducting, but ytube P2 remains non-conducting since only the lamps of transmitters L1 and L3 of this signaling device are lighted. Relays F1 and F 3 therefore become energized, but relay F2 remains deenergizedso that electric lamp S2 becomes lighted and gives an approach restricting indication on the train.

When the train passes signaling device NC, only tubes P2 and P3 become conducting so that only relays F2 and F3 become energized. Lamp S3 then becomes lighted during the interval that there relays are energized, thereby giving a caution indication on the train.

At signaling device ND only the electric lam p of transmitter L3 lighted so that only the tube P3 becomes conducting when the train passes this signaling device. Electric lalnp SI3 therefore becomes energized and gives a stop indication on the train.

Under some conditions it is desirable to place the photo-glow tubes close together en the train in order that the apparatus may be constructed in as small a compass as possible. When this is done it-may happen that when the train passes a signaling device the beam transmitted by each transmitter will strike more than its corresponding photo-glow mined band of frequencies, and the corresponding photo-glow tube may be provided with a similar filter. As a result, only the proper tube will receive light rays of sulfi-v-` cient intensity to operate the tube even if all photo-glow tubes are illuminated by the light rays of each lamp.

It should be pointed out that when the signaling devices is visible light rays, as illustrated in the drawing, the trackway signaling devices may be constructed .to serve as visible wayside signals in addition to operating the train-carried apparatus.

' Some advantages of railway traffic controlling apparatus embodying my invention are that the apparatus is inexpensive, is simple to construct, and is reliable in operation.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of railway traiic controlling apparatus embodying my invention, it'is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention.

'Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. Railway traffic controlling apparatus comprising a plurality of train-carried relay devices each adapted to be operated by a beam of radiant energy, a trackway signaling device comprising a plurality of transmitters each arranged when energized to transmit a beam of radiant energy toward a corresponding one of said train-carried relay devices as the train passes said trackway signaling device for operating such relay device, means for selectively energizing said transmitters, and train-carried governing means controlled by said train-carried relay devices.

2. Railway traic controlling apparatus comprising a plurality of train-carried relay devices each adapted to be operated by i a beam of radiant energy, a trackway signal.- lng devlce comprising a plurality of transmitters each arranged when energized to transmit a beam of radiant energy toward a corresponding one of said train-carried relay devices as the train passes said trackway signaling device for operating such relay device, meanscontrolled in accordance with traffic conditions for selectively energizing said transmitters, and train-carried governing means controlled by said train-carried relay devices.

3. Railway traliic controlling apparatus comprising a plurality of train-carried photoglow tubes, a trackway signaling device comradiant energy transmitted by the trackway erating such photo-glow tube, means for selectively energizing said transmitters, and train-carried governing means controlled by said photo-glow tubes.

4. Railway tralic controlling apparatus comprising a plurality of train-carried photoglow tubes, a trackway signaling device comprising a plurality of transmitters each arranged when energized to transmit a beam'of radiant energy toward a corresponding one of said photo-glow tubes as the train passes said trackway signaling device for operating such photo-glow tube, means controlled in accordance with traiiic conditions for selectively energizing said transmitters, and traincarried governing means controlled by said photo-glow tubes.

5. Railway traiiic controlling apparatus comprising a plurality of train-carried photoglow tubes, a trackway signalling device comprising a plurality of transmitters each arranged when energized to transmit a lbeam of radiant energy toward a corresponding one of said photo-glow tubes as the train passes said trackway signaling device for operating such photo-glow tube, means controlled in accordance with traiiic conditions for selectively energizing said transmitters, a plurality of relays on the train one controlled by each of said photo-glow tubes, and train-carried governing means controlled by said relays.

,a relay, a resistance, a source of electromotive force means including said relay and said resistance for connecting said -source across the electrodes of said tube, a condenser connected across the electrodes of said tube in series with the winding of said relay,

Imeans located in the trackway for attimes transmitting a beam of radiant energy toward said tube to render said tube conducting, and governing means on the train controlled by said relay.

7. ln combination, a train-carried tube comprising two spaced electrodes enclosed in a medium which forms a conducting path between the electrodes when an electromotive forceI of sulicient magnitude is applied across said electrodes and the tube is placed in the path 'of' a beam of radiant energy of the `proper lWave length and of suiiicient intensity, a relay, a resistance, a source ofelectromotive force, means including said relay and said resistance for connecting said source across the electrodes of said tube, a condenser connected across the electrodes of said tube in series with the winding of said relay, means located in the trackwayfor at times transmittlng a beam of radiant energy toward said tube to render said tube conducting, and governing means' on the train controlled by said relay, the parts being so proportioned that when said tube is rendered conducting the electromotive force impressed across the electrodes of said tube will decrease in a predetermined length of time to a value which is below the value of the constant potential drop between said electrodes when said tube is conducting. l

8. In combination, three train-carried tubes each comprising two spaced electrodes enclosed in a medium which forms a conducting path between the electrodes when-an electromotive force of suiiicient ma nitude is applied across said electrodes an the tube is placed in the path of a beam of radiant energy of the proper Wave length and of. sufficient intensity, three relays, six resistances, means including the winding of a first one of said relays and a first one of said resistances for connecting a source of electromotive force across the electrodes of a rst one of said tubes, means including the winding of a second one of said relays and a second one of said resistances for connecting a source of electromotive force across the electrodes of a second one of said tubes, means including the winding of a third one of said relays and a third one of said resistances for connecting a source of electromotive force across athird one ofsaidtubes, aiirst condenser connected across the electrodes of said first tube in series with the Winding of said first relay, 'a second condenser connected across the electrodes of said second tube in series with the winding of said second relay, a third condenser connected across the electrodes of said third tube in series with the winding of said third "i'elay, means including a front contact of said first relay for connecting a fourth one of said rcsistances across the electrodes of said iirst tube, means including a front contact of said second relay for connecting a fifth one of said resistances across the electrodes of said second tube, means including a front contact of said third relay for connecting the remaining one of said resistances across 4the electrodes ofsaid third tube, a signaling device located in the trackway and comprising three transmitters each provided with an electric lamp arranged when energized to transmit a beam of light rays toward a corresponding one of said tubes as the train passes said trackway signaling device to render such tube conductmg, means controlled by traiiic conditions for selectively energizing the electric lamps of said transmitters, and governing means on the train controlled by said relays.

9. In combination, a train-carried tube comprising two space d electrodes enclosed in a medium which forms a conducting path between the electrodes when an electromotive force of sufficient magnitude is applied across said electrodes and the tube is placed in the path of a beam of radiant energy of the proper wave length and of sufficient intensity, a relay, a filstresistance, a source of electromotive force, means including said relay and said first resistance for connecting said source across the electrodes of said tube, a second resistance, means including a front contact of said relay for connecting said second resistance across the electrodes of said tube, a condenser connected across the electrodes of said tube in series with the winding of said relay, means located in the traekway for at times transmitting a beam of radiant energy toward said tube to render said tube conducting, and governing means controlled by said relay; the values of said rst and second resistances, the resistance of the winding of said relay, and the capacity of said condenser being such that when said tube has once been rendered conducting the electromotive force impressed across the electrodes of said tube will be decreased in a predetermined length of time to a value which is below the constant potential drop between said electrodes when said tube is conducting.

lO. In combination, a train-carried tube comprising two spaced electrodes enclosed in a medium which forms a conducting path between the electrodes when an electromotive force of sufficient magnitude is applied across said electrodes and the tube is placed in the path of a beam of radiant energy of the proper wave length and of suiiicient intensity, a source of electromotive force, two resistances connected in series with said electrodes and said source, a condenser connected across said electrodes and one of said resistances, a third resistance, means responsive to the current in said one resistance for at times connecting said third resistance across the e1ec trodes of said tube, means located in the trackway for at times transmitting a beam of radiant energy toward said tube to render the tube conducting, and governing means on the train responsive to current in said one resistance.

l1. Inv combination, a train-carried tube comprising two spaced electrodes enclosed in a medium which forms a conducting path between the electrodes when an electromotive force of vsutlicient magnitude is applied across said electrodes and the tube is placed in the path of a beam of radiant energy of the proper wave length and of sufiicient intensity, a source of electromotive force, two resistances connected in series with said electrodes and said source, means located in the trackway for at times transmitting a beam of radiant energy to said tube to render the tube' 

